Paige, Kornet Catch Fire as Celtics Scorch Raptors 905
December 9, 2021 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
MISSISSAUGA, ON - The Maine Celtics, presented by Unum, turned a sluggish start into a three-point barrage, scoring 39 points in the 2nd quarter to get past Raptors 905, 129-103 in the first of a two-game series. Maine (8-1) has now won 6 straight games.
Jaysean Paige led Maine with 31 points and four rebounds on 11-20 shooting, including 6-12 from distance. Brodric Thomas followed with 22 points (12 in the first quarter), six rebounds and six assists while Chris Clemons posted 20 points, 11 boards and four dimes for the double-double. Luke Kornet, back with the team after playing for Team USA in FIBA World Cup Qualifying, stuffed the box score with 19 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and four blocks. Theo Pinson had 14 points and six assists, and Juwan Morgan had 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Eric Demers made his first career start as a Maine Celtic. Brodric Thomas got the offense going with a three-pointer for Maine's first bucket and drove to the rim for two more on the ensuing possession. An early charge for the Raptors led by Dalano Banton and Isaac Bonga had them up 13-7 halfway through the first as the Celtics shooting took a bit to come around. A pair of triples from Chris Clemons and a defensive spark from Cullen Russo and Jaysean Paige brought Maine right back, and the Raptors lead had dwindled to three by the buzzer, 28-25.
Luke Kornet checked in to start the second quarter and promptly threw down a thunderous dunk over multiple defenders. Clemons buried another three from the top of the key to give himself nine points, and the Deng Adel-Kornet frontcourt continued to apply pressure to the 905 offense and protect the rim. The Celtics went on a 13-6 run to take a 38-34 lead, and then they caught fire. Theo Pinson hit two threes during a run that was capped off by a Juwan Morgan slam to stretch Maine's lead to 58-43. Breein Tyree helped the Raptors cut into the lead before halftime where the Celtics led 64-51. Thomas put up 16 points while Paige had 12 and Clemons had 11 to lead Maine's offense.
Morgan opened the second half with a deep three. Demers went coast-to-coast for a layup to score his first point of the game. It went back-and-forth in the early-third quarter before Maine pulled away behind Kornet's shot-blocking and Paige's red-hot shooting. Paige scored 14 points on four made 3-pointers in the third and went into the fourth with 26 as Maine led 94-77.
Clemons finished a reverse layup on the Celtics' first possession of the final frame and Pinson dished to Paige for an and-one soon after. Maine locked in on both ends of the court, building momentum as they put away the Raptors for good by the middle of the fourth. With Pinson orchestrating offense, taking care of the ball and controlling pace down the stretch, the Celtics coasted to victory. Maine shot 50 percent (44-87) from the field, 39.5 percent (17-43) from downtown and 80 percent (13-16) from the line. Raptors 905 shot 36.1 percent (39-110) from the field, 29.7 percent (11-39) on 3-pointers and 10-13 (76.9) percent at the stripe.
The Celtics finish a two-game road trip to Mississauga, Ont. when they take on Raptors 905 on Saturday, Dec. 11. Maine's next home game is Thursday, Dec. 16. Tickets are available by visiting MaineCeltics.com.
NBA G League Stories from December 9, 2021
- Balanced Attack Leads to Wire-To-Wire Victory for the Squadron - Birmingham Squadron
- Spurs Win at Texas - Austin Spurs
- Long Island Gives College Park First Win of the Season at Nassau Coliseum - Long Island Nets
- Paige, Kornet Catch Fire as Celtics Scorch Raptors 905 - Maine Celtics
- Birmingham Squadron vs. Lakeland Magic Broadcast Information - Birmingham Squadron
- Stars Move January 28 Game to Vivint Arena - Salt Lake City Stars
- Scrubb's 32 Not Enough as Clippers' Comeback Falls Short - Ontario Clippers
- Santa Cruz Warriors Hold on in Final Seconds to Beat Agua Caliente Clippers, 122-121 - Santa Cruz Warriors
- Lakers Down Stars Behind 30 Points from Mason Jones - Salt Lake City Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
